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Replies to: The Citadel?

Unfortunately there isn't a forum on cc to discuss Citadel or any of the military colleges that are not service academies. Someone here may be able to post a list of the various schools and you can then go to their websites for more info. Or click on the following link and see if TN will consider adding a forum. http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/

Hi Dylan. Its ok to talk about it here. The administrators were supposed to have set up a forum on the military & maritime colleges but haven't done so yet. So this is pretty much it. Anything specific you're wanting to know about? That might get the ball rolling for info for you.

edit: Oooops. Sorry Momoftwins. I didn't see your post cause I was typing mine. :) Yep, we've asked TN to start a forum for this and he's looking into it. Soon maybe.

The Citadel is an awesome school. The only of the U.S. military schools that still embraces a 4th class system and includes bracing as part of their normal plebe actiivites.

The positives are:
-You aren't locked into one branch of the military.
-You don't have to serve after, completely optional.
-Much easier to gain admission than the FSAs.
-Very individualized program for bright students under Mr. Rhodes and the Honors Program.
-The 4th class system.
-A very long tradition and a good reputation.
-Better than the USAFA and USNA any day.
-Small class sizes.
-If you can't get through DODMERB, the Citadel will take you anyhow (as its not an admissions requirement)
-They have a really cool missile pointed at VMI...

The negatives are:
-An absorbant tuition (yikes!)
-Very VERY limited ROTC scholarships.
-Very stringent code of discipline, especially sexual harrasment (I have heard of women abusing their powers at the Citadel, and if your even accused your already booted out the door.)
-Slightly underfunded (paint peeling off the wall in more than one place) and some of the professors are dull as they get.
-If your in the band you will hate life...They HATE the Regimental Band.

I would have gone there if not West Point, in fact, for about a month I seriously considered attending the Citadel instead of West Point. (I wouldn't lie) At the time I wasn't quite resolved in a career in the Armed Forces but definitely like the atmosphere at military schools in comparison with liberal civilian you know whats (are those really centers for higher learning????)

My brother visited the Citadel and neither he nor my mom (who went with him) were very impressed. They mentioned two things in particular: NONE of the cadets they spoke to were enthusiastic about it (which, of course, happens at all the service academies/regular colleges at some time), but it really sounded like they were ALL miserable (not sure on the specifics of what). Also, they caught an undercurrent of racial tension.

That being said, this is hearsay. Consider ragmanlaw's first hand POV.

However, granted that you can't use a proper contraction (and instead use a possessive) I am unable to accept your opinion.

It's one thing to compare USAFA to USNA and say it's better because you attend USNA and are playing that card. However, to say that the Citadel is better than USAFA or USNA just because you think it's humorous to do so is rather immature.

One of my closest friends' son is at the Citadel--finished his junior year. He has had some awesome opportunities and will graduate with 3 majors. Already has enough hours to graduate, hence the 3rd major--the fourth yr. is required for his scholarship. I believe he is ROTC scholarship. According to him, I don't think anyone really likes that knob year, but after that he has really liked it. Charleston is also a fun place when they do have off campus time.

Good post ragman. I wanted to add that they offer excellent scholarships to incoming freshmen/Knobs that admissions automatically considers you for so don't let costs throw you too badly. The ROTC scholarships seem to come more often to second year cadets. Also, they're not truly underfunded. They have millions of dollars of construction going on to re-do barracks and other areas. They have a brand new rifle building, ect. Most of the older buildings will be finished within a few years. Its a work in progress.

I spoke with some grads recently who felt they had a wonderful education but said Citadel life is not for everyone. No kidding... Knob year will suck BIG from what I know. And its ALL year long although they do lighten up a bit after the Xmas holidays they say. I didn't see any of the racial tension marm speaks of.

A bad thing is that when you go out into Charleston, you will always have to be in uniform. All four years. It is one place that I would not go if you can't do the pre-knob visit. You need to go in with eyes wide open. Its an intense regimental lifestyle. SA Alumni are part of the teaching staff there.

Its a good Plan B school to look at. A few kids went there recently for a year after being turned down by the academies, then re-applied. There was a Citadel guy on here last year that is now at the CGA.

mkm56, thanks for that input. They really do get remarkable opportunities & and of course that really awesome beach house they go play at. Good luck to your friend's son this year!

I am also thinking about The Citadel as a B school to the USMA. I just have a few questions..
-What's the 4th class system?
-How competitive are the admissions (compared to USMA)
-Would is be better to apply to the other SA as well as The Citadel?
-How big is the missile?
-If I was accepted to The Citadel, could i reapply to WP after the freshman knobby year?
-You always have to wear uniforms? (do they have the frilly hats?)
Thanks for the help, I owe you guys.

You might also want to consider Texas A & M University. While maybe not academically on par with the service academies, it probably is academically more demanding than the VMI or the Citadel. From what I hear the Texas A & M graduates that were in the Corp of Cadets are very much respected in whatever branch of the service they enter.

Dylan sav, this is actually Adam's mom. Adam attended The Citadel for one year as Plan B. He re-applied to WP during knob year and just left yesterday for Camp Buckner, having completed a successful year at WP. In fact, he was one of two knobs at the Citadel that year who went on to become plebes at WP. Now son #2 will be attending The Citadel (no aspirations for WP, though.)

If your intent is to gain entry into WP, then The Citadel is a good Plan B. It shows the WP admissions that you are serious about the military. You will also be able to pursue another avenue of nomination through ROTC (and you don't have to be contract ROTC to do this).

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